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Longest serving Tory in Europe joins Liberal Democrats
March 17, 2010 1:47 PM
Nick Clegg and Edward McMillan-Scott at 2010 Spring Conference
Edward McMillan-Scott, the Conservative's most senior MEP, has joined the Liberal
Democrats.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said:
"I am delighted to welcome Edward McMillan-Scott to the Liberal Democrats.
"For many years he has fought for human rights and democracy world wide and he is
rightly one of Europe's most respected politicians.
"As someone of principle he has refused to cosy up to right wing extremists, despite
pressure from the Tory machine."
The former leader of the Tory MEPs, the Vice-President of the European Parliament with
responsibility for human rights and democracy, is MEP for Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire.
He said: "I have been around the higher circles of the Conservative Party for long enough to
fear that on Europe Cameron says one thing in opposition and will do another in
government.
"I have long fought against totalitarianism and the extremism and religious
persecution it brings. It was wrong of Cameron to associate with MEPs who have
extremist pasts in his new European alliance.
"My reasons for joining the Liberal Democrats are that in Nick Clegg they have a
leader whom I like, admire and respect. They are internationalists, not nationalists.
They are committed to politics based the values of fairness and change.
"From being a liberal Conservative I become a conservative Liberal. Most of my
family are liberals: I am pleased to join the Liberal family."
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